Thomson has begun the first of a series of direct flights from Cardiff in Wales to Dubai in the UAE, as part of an effort by the UK holiday giant to support the maiden Middle East cruise season of its subsidiary Thomson Cruises.

The overnight direct flights, departing Cardiff at 11.50pm, will be operated by a 767-300 aircraft from Wales’ national airport, with passengers transferring from Dubai International’s Terminal 1 to their cruise ship, Thomson Celebration at Dubai Cruise Terminal.

Thomson Cruises’ seven night itineraries aboard Celebration depart from Dubai Cruise Terminal in Port Rashid, staying overnight in Dubai and visiting six new destinations including Khasab and Muscat in Oman, Manama in Bahrain, Doha in Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Khor Fakkan in the UAE.

“It is fantastic to see yet another new, direct long-haul cruise route operating from Cardiff. Dubai is a hugely exciting destination and I’m sure these new itineraries will prove popular with cruise customers,” said Debra Barber, Managing Director at Cardiff Airport.

“Thomson cruise flights to Barbados and Jamaica are also operating this winter, so we’re delighted to also be offering cruise flights to the Middle East which attract not only customers in Wales but the South West too,” she added.